3 Signs that mean Your Car’s Air Filter Needs to be Replaced

Depending on how you drive your car, the air filter will need to be changed every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Also, if you live in a heavily polluted or dusty area, or frequently drive on dirt or gravel roads, you should probably change your car’s air filter about every 6,000 miles. Additionally, there are also a few signs that you should be aware of that will help you determine if your need car filter needs to be replaced.

Dirty Air Filter

When periodically checking out your engine, you should check the air filter as well. If the air filter contains a lot of dirt, debris or grease, then it’s time to change your air filter.

Decreased Performance

If you notice that your vehicle doesn’t accelerate well, or simply doesn’t have the power that it used to, there’s a good chance that the air filter is not allowing enough air into your car’s engine. Your car needs fresh air for the combustion process, and a dirty air filter prevents the intake of enough air. You also may notice jerky acceleration with the pressing of the gas pedal on your vehicle. This also is a common sign of a dirty air filter.

Strange Engine Noises

A dirty or clogged air filter often leads to many strange noises when the car is idling. If you notice coughing or spitting type noises when your car is stopped in traffic, this is a good sign that your car’s engine is not receiving adequate airflow and that the air filter needs to be changed.